Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

While there are little savings to made as a result of some of the decisions, I realise this is a Government decision and none of the board members has objected publicly to those decisions.

The Minister mentioned the committee should note savings of €20 million in enhanced service efficiencies and value for money were targeted and in this context €1 million in savings across institutions has initially been located. Is that €1 million already taken into account or can we look forward to that saving with the 2013 allocation?

We now know the envelope and medium-term expenditure framework over 2013 and 2014, and looking for that additional €20 in savings, how much more can we look forward in the context of mergers and abolition in 2014? We must clarify that so we can look at supporting the decisions the Minister must make.

There is a ceiling of €232 million for 2012 and a decrease to €218 for 2013. The Minister must look for savings of €14 million, although he mentioned €15 million in his opening remarks. I presume the extra million is to do with the EU Presidency. Will that be ring-fenced and will it become a saving in 2014? How is it treated? It is almost like a punishment where the Minister is given this €1 million but it is then taken away from him afterwards.